Section 1: Findings

• The Area contains one of the densest known nesting populations of eagles, falcons, owls, hawks, and other birds of prey (raptors) in North America.
• The Area constitutes a valuable national biological and educational resource.

• BLM should manage the Area under a plan that:

  1. emphasizes management, protection, and rehabilitation of raptor habitat,
  2. provides for continued military use of the Orchard Training Area, consistent with the requirements of the act,
  3. addresses the need for public educational and interpretive opportunities,
  4. allows for diverse appropriate uses to the extent consistent with maintaining and enhancing raptor populations and habitats.

Section 2: Definitions

• This sections defines certain terms used throughout the legislation.

Section 3: Establishment

• Establishes the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
• The purpose of establishment is "to provide for the conservation, protection, and enhancement of raptor populations and habitats . . ."
• Withdraws the Area from all forms of entry, including the general mining laws, subject to valid existing rights. Mineral materials may be made available from existing sites.

Section 4: Management and Use

• Revise the existing management plan within 1 year; finalize plan by January 1, 1996; review every 5 years.

• Management Guidance: Provide for:

  1. Protection of raptor populations and habitats, and the scientific, cultural, and educational values of the Area.
  2. Identifying levels of continued military use of the Orchard Training Area, compatible with (l) above.
  3. Public use of the Area.
  4. Interpretive and educational opportunities for the public.
  5. A program for continued scientific investigation and study.
  6. Vegetative enhancement to restore prey habitat.
  7. Identification of levels, types, and conditions for allowable nonmilitary uses that will be compatible with the protection of raptor populations and habitats.
  8. Assessing the desirability of imposing fees for public uses, to be used to further the purposes of the Area.
• The Secretary is authorized to establish a visitors center and provide for visitor use of the Area.
• Pending completion of research, or by 5 years of enactment, whichever is the shorter, permit continued military use of the Orchard Training Area by Memorandum of Understanding, to the extent consistent with the Act.
• Submit to Congress a report on the results of the research, when completed.
• Permit livestock grazing within the Area, to the extent compatible with the purposes of the Act. Determinations of compatibility shall be made in connection with the initial revision of management plans. Livestock grazing shall be managed in accordance with the Taylor Grazing Act, FLPMA and other applicable laws.

Section 5: Additions

• Provides for acquisition by gift, purchase, and exchange. Identify and initiate voluntary land exchanges within 4 years of enactment.
• Authorizes the use of Land and Water Conservation Fund to acquire land.

Section 6: Other Laws and Administrative Decisions

• This Act does not supersede or limit the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation System, etc.
• Finds existing wilderness study area (161,736 acres) as unsuitable for designation and releases it for multiple-use management.
• Terminates Public Land Orders 5133 (October 12, 1971) and 5777 (November 21, 1980)
• Water rights will be determined through the Snake River Adjudication process.

Section 7: Authorizations and Appropriations

• Appropriations are authorized. No amounts are stated.

Four Rivers Field Office  |  3948 Development Avenue  |  Boise, ID 83705
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